Digital Collection of Stock Photography
Tenerife Photos Canary Islands
Royalty free stock photographs of many locations in Tenerife and La Gomera, in the Canary Islands. Stock images of the islands of Boa Vista and Sal in Cape Verde Islands are also included. Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma and El Hierro stock photos will soon feature as well.
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Carnaval
The largest, loudest, most dazzling and spectacular carnival in Tenerife takes place in the capital, Santa Cruz in February each year. Beautiful images and photos can be taken of the many events and street parades or the election of the Carnaval Queen. (fotos) It is a televised event held at the Recinto Ferial, a little way back out from the auditorium and is the one that everyone wants to attend. It marks the culmination of innumerable pre-carnival competitions to choose the adult queen.
As with all the street parties in Spain and the Canary Islands, the local population spends months getting ready for this festival. It is held the week before Ash Wednesday every year. Tenerife's 'Carnaval' is second in size only to Brazil's Rio de Janeiro with the crowning of the Carnaval Queen kicking the festival off in breathtaking style. This event is then followed immediately by a spectacular horse parade involving a great number of wonderfully dressed and prepared horses and riders.
The busy weekend usually ends up as one huge street party with sometimes ear-splitting music and dancing lasting well into the night. If photography is your passion, then getting fotos of these events is a must whether it be in Santa Cruz, Los Cristianos (fotos), Puerto de la Cruz or any of the smaller towns and villages. All have something different to offer and you will get pictures from the beautiful to the funny and outrageous. One of the stranger aspects of Tenerife's Carnaval is that it has a large cross-dressing theme. Nearly everyone involved is dressed as a member of the opposite sex! The festival ends with the ritual of Entierro de la Sardina or the Burial of the Sardine - involving the burying of a large paper mache model of a sardine.
If you ever take the decision to attend the Santa Cruz carnival, it will be best to book a hotel well in advance if you can. If you are planning to go up on the day, then get there early. Parking in Santa Cruz will be nigh on impossible. The seats in the bleachers fill up really quickly. Bring a cushion - unless you want a numb bum after a couple of hours. Bring a hat, sunglasses and sun cream. The weather may still be relatively cool in February, but if it turns out to be a scorcher you will be prepared. Bring a jumper - it can be quite cool in February, especially near the sea. Bring some snacks and bottled water. There are kiosks to buy food and drink, but you will not be wanting to be popping in and out of your seat too often.
The floats, fabulous costumes and dancing troupes of the Grand Parade are certainly spectacular, but the Santa Cruz Carnaval is not simply a spectator sport. Toy shops have been ready for weeks with a range of disguises and body paint in preparation for residents and visitors to get in the party spirit. Think Halloween and go as your favourite celebrity, cartoon character or vegetable. Anything goes! Celebrations of the Santa Cruz Carnaval go on all day and night.
Though the Grand Parade is really the highlight of the Carnaval season, more events follow. Festivities focus on Santa Cruz to begin with, but gradually spread out to other areas as each town and village celebrates its own fiesta. One not to be missed is the Entierro de La Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) which takes place in various towns around the island. A tongue-in-cheek parade, with townsfolk decked out in black to mark the passing of the spirit of the carnival. A spectacular fireworks display closes these events and are well worth the effort to stay and watch.
Further Articles
The largest, loudest, most dazzling and spectacular carnival in Tenerife takes place in the capital, Santa Cruz in February each year. Beautiful images and photos can be taken of the many events and street parades or the election of the Carnaval Queen. (fotos) It is a televised event held at the Recinto Ferial, a little way back out from the auditorium and is the one that everyone wants to attend. It marks the culmination of innumerable pre-carnival competitions to choose the adult queen.
As with all the street parties in Spain and the Canary Islands, the local population spends months getting ready for this festival. It is held the week before Ash Wednesday every year. Tenerife's 'Carnaval' is second in size only to Brazil's Rio de Janeiro with the crowning of the Carnaval Queen kicking the festival off in breathtaking style. This event is then followed immediately by a spectacular horse parade involving a great number of wonderfully dressed and prepared horses and riders.
The busy weekend usually ends up as one huge street party with sometimes ear-splitting music and dancing lasting well into the night. If photography is your passion, then getting fotos of these events is a must whether it be in Santa Cruz, Los Cristianos (fotos), Puerto de la Cruz or any of the smaller towns and villages. All have something different to offer and you will get pictures from the beautiful to the funny and outrageous. One of the stranger aspects of Tenerife's Carnaval is that it has a large cross-dressing theme. Nearly everyone involved is dressed as a member of the opposite sex! The festival ends with the ritual of Entierro de la Sardina or the Burial of the Sardine - involving the burying of a large paper mache model of a sardine.
If you ever take the decision to attend the Santa Cruz carnival, it will be best to book a hotel well in advance if you can. If you are planning to go up on the day, then get there early. Parking in Santa Cruz will be nigh on impossible. The seats in the bleachers fill up really quickly. Bring a cushion - unless you want a numb bum after a couple of hours. Bring a hat, sunglasses and sun cream. The weather may still be relatively cool in February, but if it turns out to be a scorcher you will be prepared. Bring a jumper - it can be quite cool in February, especially near the sea. Bring some snacks and bottled water. There are kiosks to buy food and drink, but you will not be wanting to be popping in and out of your seat too often.
The floats, fabulous costumes and dancing troupes of the Grand Parade are certainly spectacular, but the Santa Cruz Carnaval is not simply a spectator sport. Toy shops have been ready for weeks with a range of disguises and body paint in preparation for residents and visitors to get in the party spirit. Think Halloween and go as your favourite celebrity, cartoon character or vegetable. Anything goes! Celebrations of the Santa Cruz Carnaval go on all day and night.
Though the Grand Parade is really the highlight of the Carnaval season, more events follow. Festivities focus on Santa Cruz to begin with, but gradually spread out to other areas as each town and village celebrates its own fiesta. One not to be missed is the Entierro de La Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) which takes place in various towns around the island. A tongue-in-cheek parade, with townsfolk decked out in black to mark the passing of the spirit of the carnival. A spectacular fireworks display closes these events and are well worth the effort to stay and watch.
Further Articles